New species of symbiotic sea anemone discovered off coast of Japan

Jun 24, 2022 | News On Japan

Jun 24, 2022 (sci-news.com) - Scientifically named Stylobates calcifer, the new sea anemone species lives in a symbiotic relationship with a species of hermit crab called Pagurodofleinia doederleini.

Stylobates is a small genus of sea anemones in the family Actiniidae.

It previously comprised four species, all of which exclusively inhabit deep water: Stylobates aeneus from Guam and Hawaii, Stylobates birtlesi from northeast Australia, Stylobates cancrisocia from East Africa, and Stylobates loisetteae from northwest Australia.

The new Stylobates species was collected at a depth of 100-400 m around the Pacific side — middle of Honshu Island to Kyushu — of Japan.

Named Stylobates calcifer, it was found on the shells inhabited by the hermit crab Pagurodofleinia doederleini.

The anemone occupies the entire top of the hermit crab’s shell, attaching itself by means of a hard shell-like secretion called a carcinoecium.

This phenomenon isn’t new to science as approximately 35 species of anemones have mutually beneficial relationships with hermit crabs.

Typhoons Disrupt Weekend Travel Across Japan

Typhoon No. 7 continues to disrupt travel across Japan on June 27, with Japan Airlines warning of possible delays and cancellations at Haneda, Narita and Nanki-Shirahama, ANA canceling six flights between Haneda and Hachijojima, and JR East saying some Narita Line trains between Chiba and Narita Airport Terminal 1 were out of service because of the storm.

Two Typhoons Bear Down On Kanto And Tokai

According to updates at 7 a.m. on June 27, two typhoons moving along Japan’s Pacific side are bringing a rare double threat to eastern Japan, with Typhoon No. 8 passing close to Kanto in the morning and Typhoon No. 7 expected to follow later in the day, raising the risk of repeated heavy rain, landslides, flooding and river overflows from Tokai to the Tokyo region.

Japan Books Spot in World Cup Knockout Stage After Sweden Draw

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

Aomori Hit by Quake Measuring Upper 6 as Hachinohe Shakes Again

A powerful earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 struck off Iwate Prefecture at around 7:30 a.m. on June 25, shaking parts of Aomori Prefecture and leaving Hachinohe, which was hit by a similarly strong quake last December, facing fresh damage.

Strong Quake Hits Aomori Prefecture

A powerful earthquake registering a maximum intensity of 6 upper on Japan’s seismic scale struck Aomori Prefecture at around 7:30 a.m. today. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, with a depth of about 50 kilometers. The earthquake’s magnitude was estimated at 6.9.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

First Approval for Heart Tissue Reuse in Japan

A new treatment that uses healthy tissue from the heart removed from a transplant patient and transplants it into another patient has been approved in Japan for the first time, with the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center preparing to carry out the procedure.

Four Key Dsip Peptide Benefits That Enhance Recovery

For those involved in medical research and biostatistics, understanding the intricacies of recovery processes is crucial.

Rare Look Inside Japan's Underground Gravity Wave Observatory

The KAGRA gravitational-wave research facility in Kamioka, Hida, Gifu Prefecture, was opened to the public on June 20 for the first special viewing in nine years, giving 200 visitors a rare chance to tour the underground observatory with Nobel laureate Takaaki Kajita.

Risk Of Major Mosquito Outbreak This Summer

Mosquitoes are appearing earlier than usual this year, raising fears of a major summer outbreak as experts warn that warm May weather and repeated light rain have created ideal breeding conditions across residential areas.

Fukuoka on Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease Alert

New cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in Fukuoka Prefecture remained at alert level for the third consecutive week, prompting the prefectural government to urge residents to take preventive measures against the infection, which spreads through droplets and physical contact.